My vehicle caught fire on 10-14 after being parked for 2.5 hours. Three weeks prior I had bumped into a light pole while backing up and my airbag light triggered on. The airbag did not deploy and nothing seemed wrong with the van. Then my battery died so I had to have it jumped. It died 3-4 times before I replaced it with a fresh battery 10-7. I did smell heat, but I attributed it to my oil leak, but I think I was smelling wires, not oil. I went by an autoparts store and they read my old battery temp and it was at 173 and didn’t say it was hot or anything. I don’t think that was safe to put a new battery in when there was obviously a problem. The airbag light consistently dinged off and on but since the airbag didn’t deploy I didn’t think it was any problem. But now I think it was slow draining the battery and then the new one kept charging it causing something to overheat and catch fire.
Dodge Grand Caravan fire or smoke problems
218 of the 13,443 owner complaints about the Dodge Grand Caravan describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 218
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,500
- typical mileage
- 87,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 10Overheating 9Loss of power 7Stalling 6Grinding brakes 6Won't start 5Door locks 5Brake failure 5
Trouble codes mentioned
C212A 1B192D 1B18A8 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that a dealer recently serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bags, Steering). The contact stated that the dealer replaced the airbag module components located underneath the center console; however, the connected wiring was not replaced. Later, while the unoccupied vehicle was parked in a casino parking lot, the casino staff informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department arrived, extinguished the flames, and filed an official report. The incident: the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where a secondary inspection indicated that the fire originated underneath the center console, where the recall repair had been performed. Both the manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure, and the dealer provided documentation of the completed recall services. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway an dfailed to restart. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the engine bay. There was not warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to AAMCO Transmissions, where it was diagnosed that the water pump housing had split in half. The water pump was replaced. The contact stated that shortly after the repair, the thermostat gauge started fluctuating and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to JJ Auto Repair and Collisions, where it was diagnosed with catastrophic engine block failure. A new engine was purchased and installed on the vehicle; however, the vehicle suddenly stalled while driving 40 MPH. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with alternator failure. The alternator and the battery were replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where the battery was replaced. Additionally, AutoZone tested the newly installed alternator and determined that the alternator was faulty; however, several mechanics determined that the alternator was in good condition. The contact related the failures to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers:Â 20V278000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 18V524000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied reimbursement for the expenses. The failure mileage was approximately 90,489.
The contact owned a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the front driver’s side of the vehicle near the driver’s door caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. No fire or police report was filed. The front driver’s side of the vehicle was consumed by the fire. The contact believed the failure was due to an electrical malfunction located in the driver's door that caused the fire. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jolted and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware of excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
Driving on expressway with cruise control engaged, approx 76 mph. Cruise control would not disengage by braking, canceling or turning off system. I was able to brake with the cruise fighting to accelerate the vehicle. The brakes were smoking and smelled burning during the incident. Drove approx 1/4 - 1/2 mile braking like this in order to safely get over to the right lane and exit the expressway. I did not try to use neutral because I needed the power to keep speed to safely change lanes in heavy traffice to get out of the middle lane on expressway. Was able to shift to park and turn car off. When restarted to tow vehicle the cruise system was still engaged but it was only put in neutral (not drive) to get vehicle on the tow truck. Towed to dealership. No report back yet from dealership. So terrifying!!!
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unoccupied, and turned off at the residence, she noticed that sparks and flames were coming from the overhead console. The flames then spread to the front driver's and passenger's side seats. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The fire department filed a report, which determined that the fire was caused by an electrical wiring failure. The vehicle remained at the residence. The insurance company was not made aware of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.
Smoke comes out from the corner of the hood by the antenna and fumes come from the vents it makes my eyes burn and my throat sore. I'm afraid it might catch on fire. I have had the oil changed the power steering fluid changed I had the radiator changed. I don't know where it's coming from but I do know it is not safe.
The vehicle was running on idle parked after being driven and on for less than 20 minutes. I started the van at 8:35. Drove away at 8:41, let it run on idle for 5 minutes, drove away, let it idle for 2 minutes at 9:04, drove away, let it idle at 9:06 and was smoking and had flames by 9:23 when we noticed it. The heat gauge didn't change, there was no indication that my engine was on fire or there was any issue. It drove fine, no smell, nothing. We have zero idea what happened other than it started in the engine compartment. Is it currently still sitting in the parking lot that it was pushed to away from the building as to not cause more damage to the building. It was sitting outside a building, so everyone inside and outside were in the area of smoke and flames. There is not a police report, but there is a fire report. I can email that over if needed. I'm still waiting for the fire marshalls final report. I also have active videos of it with flames shooting out of the engine and from under the hood if needed that I can email over.
Went to roll down the window on the drivers side panel and it started to smoke and short circuit. We removed the panel because we believed of could have caught fire. Problem has not been replicated due to dealership service department being closed. There were no warning lamps or messages and had occured randomly when using the panel.
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Recall number 18V524000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.
- Risk
- An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.
Recall number 14V234000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 dodge journey, grand caravan, and chrysler town & country vehicles manufacturer from august 3, 2009, through june 17, 2010. Some vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the run to accessory position while driving causing the engine to shut off.
- Risk
- Engine shut off while driving could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the win modules free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during july 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V139000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country passenger vehicles manufactured from february 2007 through september 2009. Some of the vehicles may have been built with an improperly routed wire harness that may have a condition where the lower sliding door hinge bracket can make contact and wear through the wire insulation.
- Risk
- A short circuit could occur inside the sliding door, overheating the latch, possibly resulting in a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler toll-free at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 10V235000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling 6,138 my 2009 town and country and dodge grand caravan vehicles. Unused electrical connectors for the blind spot detection system may become corroded and could short circuit, which can cause a variety of conditions.
- Risk
- If the fuse for this circuit does not blow, the connectors could overheat and potentially catch fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will seal the power circuit at the subject connector and replace the fuse for this circuit if necessary free of charge. The recall began on march 9, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 09V046000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Grand Caravan fire or smoke
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (33 complaints), 1997 (21 complaints) and 2011 (20 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix fire, smoke or burning smell on the Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 17 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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